In
order to minimize potential odors, the dryer cabinet is operated under a
vacuum. The drying air is recycled in a
closed loop minimizing the make-up air requirement and the wastewater plant’s
odor control system demand.

The
gentle product handling inside the dryer cabinet ensures low dust generation, a
safer system, and a high quality, marketable end product meeting Class A
requirements. The BioCon™ dryer does not
utilize any back-mixing which further reduces dust generation inside the dryer
building creating a cleaner facility with low maintenance.

The low
temperature nature of the thermal sludge dryer enables the BioCon™ dryer to
utilize various thermal energy sources including thermal oil, air, or
steam. Thermal efficiency can be further
increased by employing Kruger’s BioCon™ Energy Exchange System. Fuel sources for the Biocon system include
natural gas, biogas, or fuel oil. Additionally, the dryer can be fueled by the biosolids end product by
incorporating the BioCon™ Energy Recovery System (ERS) which can result in an
autogenous system by combusting the end product and utilizing the heat of
combustion to fuel the dryer.

Utilizing Biosolids as a Fuel in Buffalo, MN

The BioCon™
biosolids dryer and Energy Recovery System (ERS) were installed at the Buffalo
Wastewater Treatment Plant. The processes allowed the plant to increase it’s
biosolids capacity to 1,850 tons of dry solids per year. The ERS provides over
80% of heat for the dryer from renewable fuels, and reduces the biosolids mass
by 95%.

The BioCon allowed the City of Buffalo to increase its' biosolids capacity to 1,850 tons of dry solids per year. The ERS provides over 80% of heat for the dryer from renewable fuels, and reduces the biosolids mass by 95%.